NAIROBI, Kenya & MUNICH, Germany – In a landmark move set to catalyze innovation across two continents, the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), a leading Pan-African hub for climate entrepreneurship, has officially joined forces with UnternehmerTUM, Europe’s leading entrepreneurship center. This strategic alliance, cemented under the “Africa Meets Bavaria” initiative, creates a powerful corridor for knowledge exchange, talent development, and the co-creation of sustainable, tech-driven enterprises.
Supported by the Bavarian State Chancellery, this two-year initiative represents a pivotal moment in Afro-European collaboration. It moves beyond traditional development models to establish a symbiotic relationship built on innovation potential and shared goals. The partnership leverages KCIC’s deep-rooted expertise and extensive network in Africa’s climate and innovation landscape with UnternehmerTUM’s world-class methodology for building and scaling tech start-ups.
This collaboration is a strategic alignment with KCIC’s ambitious Pan-African, ecosystem-focused vision. Having recently expanded its mandate to serve the continent, KCIC is evolving from supporting individual ventures to building robust, interconnected ecosystems. This partnership serves as a cornerstone of that strategy, plugging African innovators directly into one of Europe’s most dynamic tech hubs.
Joseph Murabula, Chief Executive Officer of KCIC, has hailed the partnership as a game-changer for African talent. “Africa is brimming with brilliant, entrepreneurial minds ready to solve global challenges. The ‘Africa Meets Bavaria’ initiative provides a unique platform for them to hone their skills in digital product development, gain invaluable international experience, and ultimately build companies that are both profitable and ecologically and socially impactful. This collaboration aligns with our mission to build a thriving, green-tech ecosystem across Africa, and we are thrilled to embark on this journey with a powerhouse like UnternehmerTUM.”
At the heart of the initiative is an exchange program running between 2025 and 2026. It will empower African talents through a multi-stage journey:
- Digital Product Development Certificate Course: An intensive 2-week online introduction for approximately 200 participants, laying the groundwork for digital innovation.
- Advanced Digital Product Development Course: A 12-week, in-depth online training for 80 promising talents, designed to turn ideas into market-ready products.
- Bavarian Internship Program: A 2-month internship in Germany for 10 exceptional participants, offering hands-on experience within dynamic start-ups.
- Bavarian Learning Visits: A reverse exchange that will see Bavarian stakeholders visit Africa to immerse themselves in its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems, fostering deeper understanding and long-term business relationships.
Stefan Drüssler, the Managing Director & COO of UnternehmerTUM, emphasized the vast potential of the collaboration. “Innovation knows no borders. The energy, creativity, and untapped potential within Africa’s burgeoning tech scene are undeniable. Combine this with the deep-tech ecosystem in Munich, and the possibilities are endless,” said Drüssler. “Through ‘Africa Meets Bavaria,’ we are learning and building bridges. By connecting Bavarian start-ups and companies with Africa’s brightest minds, we foster a global community dedicated to creating scalable solutions for a sustainable future. This initiative is a testament to our belief in the power of cross-continental collaboration to drive economic growth and positive change.”
The partnership brings together two titans of the innovation and entrepreneurship world. KCIC has a 13-year track record of supporting over 3,500 SMEs, creating more than 57,000 jobs, and mitigating over 500,000 tonnes of CO2. Its recent accolades, including “SME Enabler of the Year” and “Green Economy Champion of the Year” in Kenya, underscore its leadership.
UnternehmerTUM, an affiliated institute of the Technical University of Munich, stands as Europe’s leading entrepreneurship center, having been ranked the best by the Financial Times for two years in a row. In 2024 alone, its supported start-ups raised over €2 billion in funding— a whooping 30% of Germany’s VC market—highlighting its profound impact on the tech landscape.
As the “Africa Meets Bavaria” initiative kicks off, it promises to be a powerful launchpad and foundation of a lasting partnership, set to empower a new generation of global entrepreneurs and write the next chapter in sustainable, international innovation.
About KCIC:
The Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) is a leading Pan-African organization dedicated to catalyzing climate entrepreneurship. It provides holistic support, including business advisory, financing, and policy advocacy, to empower enterprises in sectors like renewable energy, agribusiness, water management, and the circular economy, fostering a sustainable and climate-resilient future for Africa.
About UnternehmerTUM:
UnternehmerTUM is Europe’s leading center for innovation and business creation. With a vast ecosystem of start-ups, corporate partners, and talent pool, it supports founders and innovators from their initial idea to a successful enterprise. Affiliated with the Technical University of Munich, UnternehmerTUM is a driving force behind Germany’s and Europe’s tech and start-up culture.
